Bend it

[Nicolas]

Nmf 1 bend it

Does anyone out there still bend 15mm copper pipe anymore? I do. I see many installations where elbows have been used when a 90deg bend would have done the job

The use of an elbow requires, the cost of the elbow,time to cut the pipes, time and material to clean the ends,solder flux and gas to complete the job, and on completion the slight risk of a leak.

In my option to complete a bend takes around 60% of the time taken to complete an elbow without the costs involved in the above and no risk of a leak.

Ok you can buy a lot of elbows and material for the cost of a bender but for you younger ones it could pay off in time.

I accept that plastic plays a big part in today's demands, I give plastic and copper quotes for each job, surprisingly many accept the copper price.

Finally in using a bend , no risk of setting fire to the curtains
Comments please.



Sent from my iPad

 

[Alex Knight]

I use a bit of both, although in my opinion a well soldered elbow looks neater than a bend doesn't take up as much room

 

[Nicolas]

Alex thanks for the reply I agree, the asthetics are of course each persons opinion . I am glad you put the comment (a well soldered elbow). I have seen many examples of soldering where a bend would have been much neater.

 

[JCplumb]

I'll use a bend if I can, if not I'll use an elbow - probably the same as most plumbers.
I think a bend looks better than an elbow most of the time, that might be because I appreciate the skill. I used to be in awe of the bending work on the piping for urinals until I found out they come pre-bent when you buy them

 

[Best]

Truth is many plumbers never learnt how to do it right. I notice this also, - every turn is a soldered elbow.
A bend done in a bender is more swept and has much less resistance compared to an elbow that adds to the resistance.
I see few now bend 28mm, which is straightforward if you are used to it.
Places that elbows are better are where you want that square look and able to mitre the pipe insulation if fitting it after pipes installed.
Also better an elbow if tight space - like coming up from notched joists to rads etc.
I would use an elbow on a 28mn pipe cold feed to a cylinder male fitting. No benefit in giving myself an accurate task of bending it for no reason.

 

[gassafe]

Plumbers normally use a fitting where they can't fit the long radius of a bent pipe!!

 

[gmartine]

When doing a horizontal run to a rad what's the norm when attaching to a TRV/lockshield, a bent compound curve or a couple of elbows?

 

[Nicolas]

Gmaryine. If the horizontal run was say ar skirting level with the rad at a higher level I would form a right angle bend the an off set bend from the skirting to rise vertically into the valve. Thanks for your comment

 

[joni os]

In the above situation, horizontal run to rad. I would bend in horizontal plane, maybe not a full 90 degree, and come vertical into valve with elbow. That way I've less chance of setting skirting on fire.

 

[JCSPLUMBING]

Here's some I done for a washing machine the other day (I never run out of elbows, honest)